Trust me I’ve been there. You have a lovely gourmet dinner planned (ahem, Red Wine Braised Short Ribs), the ingredients are purchased, and you’re looking forward to a fun night in the kitchen, but then life happens. When you get home and the dog got into the garbage, your kids need help with their homework, the laundry didn’t run, and your partner calls to say they’re stuck at work. You need a plan B or else it’s takeout for the third time this week....

Making food for others is my way of saying “I care about you,” “I’m glad you are in my life,” and, most importantly, “Thanks for putting up with me.” While many foods can convey those sentiments, pizza is the universal food whose message needs no translation. With gooey, soul-comforting cheese, an array of flavorful toppings, and a crust that’s soft, crisp, and chewy all at the same time, pan pizza is a food for every occasion, every person, and, importantly, every appetite....

Although “croquette” might sound refined and complicated (because doesn’t every French word?), salmon croquettes are straightforward to make. To make them more budget-friendly and quicker to prep, I use canned salmon. Keep a few cans of salmon and tuna stashed in your pantry, and you can pull together a fast, healthy, and legitimately tasty dinner on the fly (these Avocado Tuna Cakes and the Salmon Cakes in my cookbook are perfect examples)....

This easy shrimp ceviche recipe combines tender, juicy shrimp with lots of freshly chopped produce for an easy appetizer that always impresses! I’ll show you how to make shrimp ceviche with raw shrimp or cooked shrimp — both ways are fast and simple. It’s similar to Mexican shrimp cocktail, but with a fresh and tangy burst of citrus. What Is Shrimp Ceviche? Shrimp ceviche recipes include an acidic marinade that changes the proteins in the shrimp to “cook” it without any heat!...

What’s fruity, creamy, and pink all over? The Starbucks keto pink drink, of course! This craze started going around a year or two ago, first with the original version and later with the Starbucks “secret menu” keto pink drink that people ordered by ingredient. I tried it once at the coffee shop, but never got around to testing it out myself at home, until now. In this homemade pink drink recipe, we’re taking all the sugar and carbs out for a delicious keto friendly option!...

A few years ago, I got into a total smoothie kick and stocked our pantry with every kind of nut, seed, and super powder. I filled our freezer with a rainbow of fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, mangos, and pineapple, and fancied myself a smoothie artist. From a sunshine Carrot Smoothie to a Blueberry Spinach Smoothie that would fit right into Picasso’s blue period, I had a smoothie for every color on the wheel and lots of variations....

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

My love for pad Thai runs deep. So much so, that when Ben and I visited Thailand, we split a plate of pad Thai every single day of the trip, both at lunch and at dinner. It was so tasty and such a bargain, we couldn’t resist! Back on this side of the Pacific Ocean, pad Thai is still a dish I love to cook at home. It’s fast, easy, and hits the spot every time I’m feeling tempted by takeout (this recipe is a better choice!...

It has been sunny and above 80 degrees for a whole week! And best of all, no humidity! I love it. I wish the entire summer could be the same way. Days like this call for cold, refreshing low carb desserts, like a watermelon pizza! If you haven’t heard of watermelon fruit pizza before, it’s one of the easiest summer desserts you can make. It’s ready in just minutes, and there’s no need to turn on your oven....

IT’S TIME for the Well Plated 2019 Holiday Gift Guide! After much careful thought and consideration, this list has my favorite items for everyone on your list. Whether you’ve been shopping for months (teach me your ways), or if this is your first dive into the holiday shopping game, I hope these ideas inspire you and give you a head start on planning. As someone who’s waited until the last minute, I’ve learned that it’s much better to order ahead so that you aren’t rushing around at the last minute, madly looking for items that are in stock....

Zucchini season is here, zucchini season is here! Can you just imagine me shouting this from a rooftop? That’s what I feel like doing right now because that also means it’s zucchini Alfredo season. And that is is one of the best times of the year, don’t you think? Keto zucchini noodles alfredo is the meal you’ll want to make over and over again. It’s a classic for a reason!...

As the primary household meal planner and cook, I feel a personal responsibility to sneak vegetables into my husband’s food. I regard this practice as a warm-up in the event Ben and my hypothetical future children inherit their father’s distaste of all that is green. I plan to serve my family these golden, glorious zucchini waffles every weekend, then rub my palms together in secret, subtly evil glee as our toddlers wolf them down, then beg for more....

Why You Will Love This Recipe: Homemade banana chips are tasty and make a perfect snack for your kids inside their lunch boxes or for after-school snacks. These chips are also an inexpensive, easy snack to prepare, and a healthier version of this deep fried snack. You can pull these crispy chips out to munch on for a movie night instead of popcorn, or on the go for long road trips....

Air fried green tomatoes are one of my favorite air fryer recipes. This recipe is not only a quick and easy southern staple, but it’s a perfect summer southern classic side dish. If you’re looking for something to make alongside this recipe, check out recipes for Air Fryer Country Style Ribs, Air Fryer Pork Chops, and Air Fryer Chicken Legs. What are Green Tomatoes? Green tomatoes are unripe tomatoes that are still green in color....

I know it may shock you but I am totally down with frozen french fries. That’s right - I’m a passionate home cook and food blogger who likes to cut corners sometimes and one of those is frozen french fries. Making GOOD shoestring fries at home isn’t as easy as chopping a potato and you’re done, so I tend to avoid it and grab the frozen pack instead. If you haven’t tried to make frozen french fries in your air fryer yet you’re in for a treat!...

Air Fryer Granola is such a quick and easy breakfast or snack option. Once you give this version a try you’ll never buy store bought again. This granola is naturally sweetened with a few tablespoons of honey, which can easily be subbed for maple syrup or rice malt syrup if you’d prefer. I love making granola in my air fryer because it is so fast! It’s also great in the warmer months so that I don’t have to turn on the oven and heat up the whole house....

This hot pocket air fryer recipe is a quick way to put lunch or a snack on the table. In less than 15 minutes you can be chowing down on a golden brown, tasty pizza pocket. It’s no secret that the air fryer is my favorite kitchen appliance. The air fryer method makes all of my favorite recipes without the added calories or trans fats that are associated with a deep fryer....

This air fried salmon is by far one of the tastiest salmon recipes I’ve ever tried. There is a lot of flavor coming from the Asian-style glaze alone but air frying adds a ton of extra flavor. Air frying in general is an excellent way to cook salmon. This salmon reminds me of grilled or broiled salmon. The level of caramelization is impressive and salmon skin comes out every bit as tasty as when it’s grilled or pan-fried....

With this turkey drumstick recipe, you end up with juicy meat and crispy skin. They are lightly seasoned with butter and a few of our favorite poultry seasoning favorites. AIR FRYER CRISPY TURKEY LEGS These juicy turkey legs are just like our favorite fair food. Except with just a small list of ingredients needed, and without deep frying. Serve with cranberry sauce and Air Fryer Baked Potato or Air Fryer Butternut Squash, for a delicious complete meal!...

For more Asian-inspired recipes with rice, check out my Chicken Fried Rice (Benihana-Style) and Bibimbap (Korean Beef and Rice Bowl). (This post is sponsored by Carolina® Rice. All opinions are my own.) The Best Chinese-Style Bacon Fried Rice! I wish words could convey how delicious this bacon fried rice is. Delicious, appetizing, delectable, exquisite… No, nope! Not even close to expressing it. So I’m gonna leave that up to you....